What is the maximum spacing of the anchor bolts for a 1-story house?

• A. 4 feet on center
• B. 8 feet on center
• C. 10 feet on center
• D. 6 feet on center

Answer: (D)

Anchor bolts tie the sill plate to the concrete foundation and resist wind uplift and other forces trying to lift or slide the wall. For a one-story house, the code sets a maximum spacing of six feet on center. This keeps the anchors spaced closely enough to share the uplift load along the wall length, preventing a long, unbolted run from lifting during wind or seismic events. Spacing farther apart, such as eight or ten feet, would leave larger segments more susceptible to uplift and isn’t allowed for a single-story structure. If you’re aiming for a safe, code‑compliant installation on a typical one-story home, six feet on center is the standard maximum.